Clubfoot

clubfoot treatment in broward and palm beach Clubfoot – or talipes equinovarus – is a non-life threatening congenital foot birth defect. It causes one or both feet to turn inward and upward at the ankle.

Clubfoot is one of the most common major birth defects among infants globally. One in every 800 newborns has it. And of those, one in three have both feet clubbed. Approximately, 5,000 babies are born with this condition each year in the US.

Although the exact causes are unknown, research indicates genetic factors may play a key role. Clubfoot is twice as likely to occur if one or both parents and/or sibling had it.

The condition affects the ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Typically in the feet and calves.

If you suspect that you are experiencing clubfoot,schedule an appointment online. Our practice offers leading podiatrists in South Florida.

Causes of Club Foot

As mentioned above, currently the causes of clubfoot are unknow. There is no way to ensure your child wont be born with this deformity. However, there are some things that make it more likely. Such as:

Gender. Two-thirds of babies with clubfoot are male.
Family history. Babies with a parent or sibling who had clubfoot are twice as likely to get it.
Lifestyle choices. Smoking or drug use while pregnant, will raise the baby’s chances of being born with it.
Other birth defects. In some cases, it’s linked with other another condition a baby is born with, such as spina bifida.
Too little amniotic fluid during pregnancy. If there’s not enough amniotic fluid, your baby’s chances of being born with clubfoot are higher.

What are Symptoms of Clubfoot?

When a baby is born, it’s very noticable that the child has clubfoot. Nonetheless, here are some signs:

The foot points downward, and the toes may be curled inward.
Foot appears to be sideways or sometimes even upside-down.
The foot may be smaller than normal by up to a half-inch.
Calf muscles on the affected leg may not be fully developed.
Limited range of motion in the foot.

Club Foot Treatment

Club foot is often diagnosed via ultrasound and treated shortly after birth in order to make the infant’s feet functional, painless, and stable by the time he/she is ready to walk.

In most cases, club foot straightens with casting. After the foot is properly aligned, the child is fitted with special shoes or braces to keep the foot straight once corrected until the child has been walking for about a year or more depending on the progress.

In some cases, stretching, casting, and bracing does not work. Then surgery may be required to adjust the tendons, ligaments, and joints in the foot and ankle.

For more information about clubfoot treatment or to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, call us at 954-906-9272. We’ve been successfully providing foot treatment in South Florida for over a decade. For a South Florida foot doctor located in Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Coral Springs & Plantation, contact us today.